News
B&B's Long-Running Series Stars: Katherine Kelly Lang and John McCook Bring The Heart In Christmas Eve Episode!

Courtesy/CBS
The Bold and the Beautiful delivered a Christmas Eve episode on Thursday filled with vintage flashbacks and sentiments between its longest running remaining series stars and character: Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke) and John McCook (Eric).
The episode begins with Eric thinking about his late wife Stephanie (Susan Flannery) in some flashbacks, and he even begins to sing at the piano, as family and friends will soon gather fo Christmas Eve at the Forresters. Stephanie’s portrait is now back in its rightful place above the mansion mantel. No longer is a self-portrait of Maya (Karla Mosley) the centerpiece of the living room.
Meanwhile, Brooke is planning to celebrate Christmas with her children RJ, Hope and Rick (who is with the Avants in Hawaii) but each cannot make it home at the last minute for various reasons, leaving Brooke all alone on Christmas Eve. Through flashbacks, a disraught and emotional Brooke thinks back to her kids when they were younger playing in the house, etc. She realizes time has moved on, the kids are grown up, and its difficult moment for her. However, the moments plays to the universal themse that many parents or people all over the world may be alone for Christmas, and those who long to be with their family, but because of circumstances, can’t.
Later, Eric shows up and convinces Brooke to join Bill (Don Diamont), Katie (Heather Tom), Steffy Jacqueline MacInnes Wood), Thomas (Pierson Fode), Liam (Scott Clifton) and Wyatt (Darin Brooks) at the mansion and to not be alone. Once there, Brooke is finally happier and thankful to Eric, her enduring friend. For Christmas, Eric gives her a locket for Christmas with her four children in it when they were younger. She then asks Stephanie’s portrait if it is OK to kiss Eric, and she does.
Kudos have to go to Katherine Kelly Lang and John McCook for bringing some heart to a soap opera Christmas eve show that was both touching, and honored the history of their relationship and the show.
What did you think of The Bold and the Beautiful’s Christmas episode? What did you think of the performances of Katherine and John? Who will be the man in Brooke’s life in 2016? Comment below!
I loved the B&B Christmas Eve show compared to all the other soaps. I, personally, love flashbacks and B&B had them. I wish Days had done that with their show. Kudos to B&B, Kelly Lang and John McCook for wonderful and touching performances on today’s episode.
I absolutely loved the show! To be truthful, I have never been a Brooke fan, but I’m ready to forgive and forget after seeing her with Eric. The flashbacks and honor they both showed Stephanie was just what we needed at Christmas. Rick and family could always take Brooke’s house for theirs. Merry Christmas to all and thank you Mr. Fairman for what you do.
I hope the Stephanie portrait stays up. I hate the Maya portrait with the fire of a thousand Sun’s. Lol. I
Stupid episode without Forresters! Thorne has lost his daughter and Eric invite Katie, Bill, Liam, Wyatt
I agree. The party guests don’t make sense. No Pam either. She adds some much needed humor to this show. But I’ve been watching since EP1 and I’m sticking with them.
No mention of Thorne, Félicia, Kristen, Tony, Ridge, Pamela… Rick would be with his parents in the mansion with Bridget! Poor writers ! Enough si enough! I hate stories with Liam, Steffy, Ivy and Wyatt. The Steffy show is boriiiiiing! J. Young, L. Godfrey… are fabulous actors and should be the stars of the BB! This soap, it’s over for me! 2016 will be an ANOTHER show with Liam and Steffy
THIS WHOLE SHOW DOESNT MAKE SENSE ….
If I wrote B&B, I would put Eric and Brooke together again as the show’s top couple. They have been married. They have children together. (Bring back Bridget!). Stephanie made peace with Brooke when Stephanie died. I have no desire to see Ridge and Brooke together again. He wants to play in the kids’ sandbox now.
I would have liked to see more of the cast at the party. I thought it was a pretty paltry showing. It was nice to have Stephanie’s picture back up though.
Since 1989 when it was only 2 years old (I was in jr high) and I haven’t missed a Christmas episode yet…I always look forward to it and never haven’t been pleased…not everyone is going to be happy apparently and it’s silly,in my opinion, to gripe about it not going the way you wanted it to go or casted…I’ll only say that I do miss Hope very much. But loved the Christmas episode and all the trimmings..Happy HoHo to all.
I hate seeing Brooke alone! I hate the way Ridge discarded her. He judged her character?? Yet he is a jerk and has done more unethical things than she ever did!! I can’t wait till his LATEST LIE is exposed and his son gains joint custody of “his” child that Ridge is claiming as his. He is an insensitive idiot. He played with Katie’s feelings then dumped her but Brooke was dumped 1st for texting Deacon regarding Hope and dumped the 2nd time basically at the altar because Ridge couldn’t forgive her for a relationship with Bill–after Katie initially pushed them together! Too many double standards. I’m for Brooke. I think she’s fantastic. Please give her a story line and a good man. Not another jerk like love them/use them then tear them down and leave them Ridge!!! BTW. Ron Moss was 100% better than the current husky voice actor I don’t care to egg knowledge because I cannot stand him !!!
Lol acknowledge
Brooke is so lovely and beautiful woman, Brooke is also only woman who can keep secret an like blapping Taylor and Stephanie. Brooke least human change to tell her self truth.
Although Some storylines are just not believable like Liam passing out in the bathroom of the plane, at least they move this show along and get to the point faster. They only have 30 minutes and it moves to a conclusion much fast than Y&R. I have really began to like this show better for that reason.
Beyond the Gates
RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers

The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.
According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.
Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.

Photo: CBS
MORE BY THE NUMBERS
In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .
BEYOND THE GATES
Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:
Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).
Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.

Photo: ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:
Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.
Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.
Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.
Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.
However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.
So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
General Hospital
Antonio Sabáto Jr. Breaks Silence on His Son’s Arrest for Fatal Hit-and-Run

Antonio Sabáto Jr., the former Jagger Cates of General Hospital and GH: Night Shift, and the former Dante Damiano of The Bold and the Beautiful has issued his first public statement since the incident involving his son, Jack’s arrest in Alaska for a fatal hit-and-run.
Jack is the son of Sabáto Jr. and Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, and according to court documents obtained by KTUU Jack, was allegedly driving a white Chevy Tahoe when he hit and killed Carl Simmonds, 42, near an intersection in Anchorage around 5:35 a.m. on Monday, November 9.
The reports indicated that Jack fled the scene — but later decided to called the cops to say he hit “something” that “suddenly appeared in the road” while he was “doing late-night DoorDashing.”

Photo: NBC
Now, Antonio has taken to his Instagram breaking his silence on the situation, sharing, “At this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter.”
He added, “As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family. We ask that the public and members of the media honor our privacy during this difficult time and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.”
The soap alum concluded, “I also wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the gentleman who tragically lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We sincerely appreciate your compassion, understanding, and respect for the privacy of everyone affected.”
Jack Sabáto was arraigned in court on Tuesday, November 10 with bail set at $5,000, and a no-driving order and the potential of $5,000 penalty fees if he fails to attend future court appearances.
Antonio is the father to Jack, 34, daughter, Mina Sabato, 24 and son, Antonio Sabáto III, 15.
This is a developing story. You can check out Antonio’s official statement below.
So, let us know your thoughts on this tragic hit-and-run, which claimed the life of another man, and Antonio’s statement, via the comment section below.
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Breaking News
‘Days of our Lives’ Veteran James Reynolds Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis
Days of our Lives long-running cast member James Reynolds revealed on the November 10 edition of Entertainment Tonight that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and his character of Abe Carver will now be going through an on-screen Parkinson’s battle as well.
Speaking with ET’s Nischelle Turner, the 80-year-old actor and Daytime Emmy winner shared how he attempted to hide the warning signs dating back to 15-20 years ago when he would have, “What they call the hallucinations. My wife (Lissa) would say, ‘You were hitting me last night in bed,’ and I would say, ‘What?!’ I was having these really horrible dreams.” Reynolds also added that he realized falling out of bed was an early symptom of Parkinson’s too.
Discussing the on-going tremors that have become more noticeable over time especially in hands, James shared that when he finally told the Days of our Lives cast they were nothing but “extraordinarily helpful and supportive.”

Photo: ET
SCREEN LIFE TO MIRROR REAL LIFE
Now with DAYS about to launch into Abe’s Parkinson’s storyline, Reynolds hopes that he can turn his experience into something positive by encouraging others facing the disease to keep fighting. During the sit-down, Reynolds co-star Jackée Harry (Paulina Price) recalls her reaction to learning of Reynolds’ real-life diagnosis and how she has continued to search for new treatments to inform James about.
Although Parkinson’s disease currently has no cure, there are medications and treatments can help those manage symptoms and improve quality of life. The condition progresses at a different pace from individual to individual.
As discussed in his conversation with ET, Reynolds cited Michael J. Fox and Alan Alda as two high-profile celebrities who have brought awareness to the disease.

Photo: JPI
In story on DAYS, Abe in recent weeks had been experiencing tremors which led to seek help and a diagnosis Dr. Kayla Johnson (Mary Beth Evans). Soon Abe and others will find out of his battle with Parkinson’s. Although on the promo for this week’s DAYS, Abe is seen telling Kayla, that he will do something, “when the time is right.”
James Reynolds is one of the most prolific performers, being the longest-running Black Actor in a role on a television series, not to mention his aforementioned Lead Actor Daytime Emmy win in 2018, and being inducted in 2025 into the Daytime Emmy Gold and Silver Society of honorees.
You can check out James’ in-depth conversation on his Parkinson’s diagnosis below.
Share your thoughts for James after learning of his health battle, and what do you think of Days of our Lives incorporating the disease into Abe Carver’s Salem storyline? Let us know in the comment section.
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